Monday, November 24, 2008

I am thinking...I'm glad my internet is working after a morning of notand thinking about what this week will bring

From the learning rooms...individual work continues, Will is memorizing a portion of Scripture for the children's choir Christmas singing, we plan to read about the first Thanksgiving in America and will be sharing and singing thanks & praise to the One all thanks & praise is due

I am thankful for...a God that is Love, is forgiving and full of mercy & grace,that He loves us when we are unloveable,that He is Faithful when we have little faith,that He hears and answers prayers & is in the business of healing & restoration

From the kitchen...the sink is clean after washing up the weekend's dishes.Wet burritos for supper

I am reading...the book of 2 Samuel, John, and (this morning) Romans {KJB}Laying Down the Rails (a book on habit training)

I am hoping (praying)...the Lord's will and good pleasure is accomplished in the livesof some of our church families that are having difficult times

I am creating...nothing, yet, but hope to begin working on Christmas gifts

I am hearing...uplifting, God-honoring music from the stereoand the children playing outside

Around the house...Mount Washmore awaits chiselingand more blessing of our home is needed ;o)

One of my favorite things...worshipping God as a family, being in His house

A few plans for the rest of the week...have learning moments, piano lessons that Ally teaches,set up a dr appointment for Ally,work on a few Christmas gifts, think about family pics,attend midweek Thanksgiving service and fellowship supper,spend Thanksgiving with friends

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

As I was getting supper together Sunday, I glanced in the dining room and saw my belovedstudying God's Word.... THAT was precious!

"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."~ Psalm 100:1-5

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Something amazing happened today!{well, it may not seem amazing to others but it was to us}Know what it was??Here's a hint...It was around 40 degrees today...Here was the sky...

Any ideas??How about now??{If you enlarge the photos, you can see it better}

Did you see it??!It SNOWED!!!Here! In SouthEast Coastal NC... it snowed!We moved here two years ago & have not had snow.Locals inform us that it had been about 5 years since it snowed.Before we lived here, we lived further south in SouthEast Coastal SC,so snow was VERY scarce there, too.We haven't seen snow (at our own home) in over 6 years!We are ABSOLUTELY tickled!!We dropped everything today to go out-of-doorsto enjoy the snow the Lord sent us! I LOVE it! LOVE it! LOVE it!

"Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God;for it is pleasant; and praise is comely."~ Psalm 147:1"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah."~ Psalm 68:19

Oh, how I delight in those 'little things', those 'little' milestones,as our children take the journey to adulthood!They are bittersweet moments... but I love them.Beth & Carolynne discovered a little while backthat they don't need Mama to help them pick out a dress and get ready for the day.They play so creatively and speak in sentencesthat, sometimes, blow my mind away.

Last night they all discovered to their delightthat they all lovethat 'ugly', brown, hairy fruitthat is slimy and green on the inside... a kiwi.lolI was tickled to see their taste buds growing, too.Will discovered yesterday that he could, indeed,survive and even watch as he took a trip to the laband they filled two viles with his blood. (It was his first time!)He, also, learned there how the Lord answers prayerand will strengthen us and that in our fear,He will help us be of good courage.This morning he crossed over from liquid to pill,when he found that it was possible to swallow a pill (the "adult" medicine Ü)and began learning the art of doing so.Ally is learning spiritual Truths and personal applicationthrough her illness and other circumstancesthat many do not learn until adulthood or not at all.And she continues to change and growfrom the relationship of daughterto the addition of being a dear friend.What a blessing it is to see these "little things" along the way...as they go from being children to being young ladies, young women, and a young man.Thank you, Lord, for the ministry of being a mother!May I walk worthy of the calling."I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."~ 3 John 1:4

I discovered yesterday that our Haven at Home was nominatedat Homeschool Blog Awardsfor Best Homeschool Blog Mom.I wanted to thank those that,unknowingly to me, nominated meand have voted for our blog.Not seeking the praise of man,but it is a blessing to know that our Haven at Home is a blessing to others.Thank you for your thoughtfulnessand for your kindness!May He be uplifted & always be first.

"...that in all things he might have the preeminence."~ Colossians 1:18

One of my favorite things...those rare but precious timesmy beloved and I spend together alone,nurturing our relationship

A few plans for the rest of the week:bless our home; go to piano lessons that Ally teaches;sew name tapes on military gear for a fellow church family member;attend our midweek prayer service;keep a friend's children for a few days as she travels& her beloved is away, too; go to the dentist;hold the fort as my own beloved travels;and go to our homeschool park day

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

What a promise to look forward to!Whatever life on this earth may bring,it is such a comfort & joy to think of the earth to come,where Jesus Christ will dwell AND reign!What a day that will be!

"Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."~ 2 Peter 3:13

Saturday, November 15, 2008

The past few weeks, I have been working on sewing my gownfor the Marine Corps Ball that my beloved & I were to attend.

I chose the regency gown pattern with modifications.I used the regency sleeve and skirt with a square neck bodice.I widened the bodice for gathering, gathered it, & attached it to a waistband then added a ribbon and a rose. Here is the final project...

This was my first time making this & it was quite a challenge(since I didn't have time to practice on it).I was glad that it turned out as well as it did(& that I had gotten extra material for mess ups).

I, also, whipped up a little drawstring purse/bagto go along with the gown...

No pattern was used.I simply used a large bowl to draw a circleon two pieces of fabric then sewed them together,turned them right side out, slip stitched the opening,made a casing, and a 'drawstring.Very simple and practical for the evening.

Here are my beloved and I together...

lol

Here we are on a more 'serious' note...

We sat through the ceremony and the dinnerthen left as the "social hour" commenced.We had a lovely time and enjoyed our evening together.

I am amazed sometimes at how busy life can get.Our past couple of weeks haven't, necessarily,been full of exciting events but they have been busy.I've not had much time, at all, to postso I wanted to take advantage of a few momentsto share photos from the past couple of weeks.

Around the house...

Ally & Carolynne making a supper together

Dad & Will involved in an intense game of RISK

Will & the lil' girls gathered at the pianosinging Christmas carols

The lil' girls getting fun rides from Daddy

... and then trying to do the same with each other...

Suzie's been givin' Mama sugarsOut of the house...

Ally enjoyed cutting fresh flowers at a friend's

Playing and climbing at the parkSwinging with Daddy

Mama & Ally enjoy a dinosaur ride together

Daddy, Will, & Carolynne enjoy a plane ride

We enjoyed an afternoon with friendsat the park and canoeing...

playing ballplaying under the picnic tableEnjoy Literature out-of-doors

Enjoying the delights of holding a baby

Older children and the dads in the canoeOn their trip, they spotted a 15 foot alligator!The younger ones and the dads canoeing

On their trip, they lost an oar (see it floating?)

There's been more but those are some highlights.We've had a great couple of weeks and hope you have, too!

"Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable."~ Psalm 145:3

From the kitchen...my sink is shining from the TLC I gave it before bed last nightand the cookie jar is full of No Bake Cookies,waiting to be eaten

I am reading...The book of 2 Samuel, Luke, and Revelation {KJB},Laying Down the Rails: A Charlotte Mason Habits Handbook

I am hoping...our week goes well and that I'm able to finish my sewing project

I am creating...my gown for our upcoming ball & a spencer jacket to go with it

Around the house...Mount Washmore awaits chiseling, our eldest is sleeping inand the children are playing at the dining room table

One of my favorite things...spending quality time with my family,making memories together

A few plans for the rest of the week...a day at the park with Daddy & friends to play, grill out, & canoe; piano lessons that Ally teaches & visit with friends; refresh our souls at our midweek Bible & prayer service;take Beth & Carolynne to their dentist appointment;attend the Marine Corps Ball with my beloved;have our sourdough pizza night with friends

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

What a delight it has been toenjoy God's beautiful autumn splendor!

"Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein."~ Psalm 69:34"Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness."~ Acts 14:17

Around the house...a couple of my Scripture prints were hung in the downstair's bathroom,some family photos were hung in the upstairs hall,and the house awaits its blessing from the weekend.

One of my favorite things...starting my day in God's Word and in prayer

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...go to Ally's dr. appointment today for some blood work(they are checking her adrenal gland function),piano lessons that she teaches (tomorrow),make a menu & grocery list then go to the commisary,attend our midweek prayer service, go to our homeschool park day, and work on our academics.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

This was given to me by Will last week.The love and affection from children is such a blessing!

May we bless our Father with our love & affection, too!"The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee."~ Jeremiah 31:3